Chapter 93


    Ian pushed aside Berics sword with the back of his hand, dumbfounded. The guy who put a hole in his gut fighting one knight in the desert, what confidence made him think he could take on three at once?


    The knights also red as if to say, Are you insane?, yet they seemed to be holding back for now since Ian was standing in the way.


    Knock off the bullsh*t and go bring Romandro instead.


    Ah, so thats what you meant? My bad.


    There was not a speck of apology in his words but it felt better to admonish him at least. Ian signaled the wife with his eyes.


    All of you out. Go help bring the advisor or take care of things that need doing. Dont just stand around dazed. Shoo.


    ..


    Perhaps determining it would get them nowhere staying put, the knights obediently left the room. Seeing the confused steward ncing left and right trapped between them, the wife took out a new cigarette and ordered.


    Steward, go make some tea at least. We have a guest and though the situation is chaotic, manners must be upheld.


    Yes, mydy.


    One knight stood stubbornly with his arms crossed in the corridor. The way he held his chin high even as the door closed, as if to keep thedy detained by force, betrayed his intentions.


    <i>Creak</i>.


    As the door shutpletely, she breathed out smoke vacantly. Then looking at Ian, she murmured.


    I feelpletely out of sorts.


    Pull yourself together, even by force. We need to secure the estates rights before those knights do anything drastic.


    I havent yet.


    Then you should inform the Counts brother quickly. Dont those knights hold militarymand over Merellof?


    Unlike the Bratz estate, Merellof didnt require arge force. The estate functioned stably with just the handful of guards that could be maintained from the estate and the three knights as the core of a private army system. There were no threatening enemies like the Cheonrye tribe.


    Probably? I suppose so?


    From your reply, now I understand why theyre kicking up such a fuss. If you dont hurry, mydy, you may meet the same fate as the Count.


    Ian tilted his chin toward the bedroom where the corpsey. <i>Would now not be the perfect timing topletely wipe out Merellofs line and write a new history?</i>


    If the same happens to me, wouldnt that trouble you too, Sir Ian?


    It would trouble me, yes, but more of a nuisance than anything fatal like with you.


    <i>How annoying indeed. </i>For the imperial pce to take interest in Merellof now because of this. But by then, Ian would be closer to the capital. And most of all, Ian truly had no involvement whatsoever in this incident.


    She could threaten me if she wanted.


    For instance, if he didnt help her now, she could make false confessions about their inappropriate rtionship, dragging him into the mud with her.


    I see. Indeed.


    Firstly, the wife didnt seem to hold any such intentions. Perhaps the previous nights shock was too immense, or since her position left her simply desiring freedom, she had no wish toplicate matters.


    Or perhaps shes clever.


    She probably thought that provoking Ian now would leave her unable to recoup her losses. It would be different if she asked for his help. She nibbled numbly on her cigarette,pletely deted.


    Mydy, have the steward bring you the seal from the office before Romandro arrives. Whoever holds that represents the estate.


    Ah, that.


    You can then just handle things systematically. If the knights betray you midway, we can provide military support from our side.


    With Beric present and warriors who had yet to return to Cheonrye tribe still remaining, they would probably subdue those three knights and soldiers easily.


    What is it that you want?


    The wife simply blinked and smiled. That there was no such thing as unconditional favor was something she seemed to have grasped early on. Ian merely shrugged his shoulders at her words.


    I cant seem to think of anything in particr right now. How about tributary payments?


    That should suffice. Though other than money, Id prefer something more what the knights can offer.


    A connection through money could just as easilye loose. The wife wanted a contract only she could fulfill for him.


    There isnt much I can offer right now since I came barehanded into the estate.


    The wife moved to stand before her vanity. At a light gesture, the drawer opened for her to take out the ring made by the mysterious alchemist. The very one like Ians ne.


    You did say you were quite curious about it. Do you happen to know if this ring and your ne were crafted at the same time?


    Considering both the timeline and distance between estates, if they came from the same upper-tier alchemist, the possibility was high. Stroking his chin, Ian replied.


    Id happily ept the ring, but as for the item next to it.


    It was the new anesthetic secretly traded from the Hawan Kingdom. The round, ck jar was tidily polished as before. The wife merely made a shrugging motion, as if to say do as you please.


    Refuse it if you dont want it. I simply presented the most valuable item in my possession. The choice is yours, Sir Ian.


    Seeing Ian hesitate, Beric behind decided there was no need to ponder as he took both items himself.


    Why not take what shes giving?


    Beric. Havent you left yet?


    Was just about to. Huh, whys this noting off?


    Quite incredible indeed.


    He had absentmindedly put his finger into the ring and it seemed to be properly stuck. As Ian shot him an exasperated look, he fumbled awkwardly with an embarrassed grin.


    Can I just grease it off?


    Itd be faster to cut your finger off. Mydy, may I borrow a knife?


    I shall bring Romandro immediately, my lord. Please wait.


    At Ians jest, Beric promptly made himself scarce. Even so, he didnt forget to take the jar with him.


    You can rece the jar when its used up. Men wear cosmetics nowadays too but its still awkward for many.


    Where exactly would I use it?


    Youll soon rise to the capital, no? While there are things that can be picked up anywhere, I imagine there would be ample use for it in a ce like that?


    No idea where she got the notion but she was quite spot on. As the center of Bariel, it was morous and chaotic, with a tense undercurrent of cruelty. Staying up countless nights unable to sleep would surely bemon among those at the hub of power struggles.


    Whether due to work or fear of death.


    The lethal dose is over 2 grams a day, taken continuously for a month. Just follow that properly and there shouldnt be issues.


    So this would produce side effects yearster, not months. Anyway, are you certain about this? No matter how I think about it, I cant understand Beric copsing just from a whiff.


    How should I know? I had no problems myself. Something must be off with your subordinates constitution.


    The wife stated decisively she was sincere. Granted, Beric walking around perfectly fine with a hole in his gut was not exactly a normal physique. Ian turned his head to nce back. The doctor was packing up his medical kit.


    Truly, more so than these trivial things, the tribute is most important.


    I could prepare it by selling gems if need be. Though I wonder if there are any gem buyers nearby whod ept goods. Id likely need to go as far as Sherion for cash trade.


    It seemed only the family head held financial authority in Merellof. At least in the Bratz, Lady Mary was in charge of household affairs yet an overbearing Count certainly wouldnt share his power with his wife.


    Anyway mydy, make haste with things. Its best to move before those knights take action.


    As Ian turned to leave the room, the wife grabbed and asked him. Though her expression remainedposed and dull, her voice unexpectedly quivered unlike her demeanor. The more he looked at her the stranger she seemed.


    What will happen to rk?


    How can it be otherwise? Its the death penalty, without exception.


    Except for legal executions by the imperial pce, like those by Dergha, the murder of nobles could only happen on the battlefield. Killing a noble was a serious crime, and if the perpetrator was a ve, there was no need for a trial.


    I was surprised to hear that rk is still alive. The fact that the knights did not execute him on the spot suggests that there is a different intention at y.


    Is there really no exception?


    A ve surviving after killing a noble? Its possible, but Ive never heard of it. Oh, I did hear about a former ve who became a king in another country


    Ian paused for a moment, trying to align this information with the history he remembered, to see if it matched the current events. Thinking about the years, it seemed to roughly fit the timeline.


    I heard the first person he killed was his noble master. Maybe rk could survive if he bes a king too.


    Thedy seemed to be pondering something, idly flicking the tips of her nails. It appeared she was keen on saving rks life at least.


    Cant you help us?


    Lady, Im sorry, but I need to go to the capital soon. I cant afford to get involved in more trouble.


    It seems like Sir Ian could do it.


    By what means could I save a ve who killed a noble?


    Havent you already done the same? You, amoner who had crossed the border and survived to be lord.


    Ian frowned. The conversation seemed to be going off track. Thedy murmured to herself, and Ian responded in his own way.


    Mydy.


    I will be the lord.


    What?


    Is that not possible?


    Ian hesitated at her assertive question.


    Theres now restricting lordship to men. But mydy, you are not of Merellof blood, no? It would be different if you had a legal heir, but with the Count dead, you are an outsider to the Merellof family.


    <i>Was that all?</i>


    The only one holding the keys of support and opposition, the Counts brother, certainly wouldnt agree. Which meant, in order to be lord.


    The only way is to change the ruling family here.


    Like Bratz, erasing the name of Merellof. It was no different from what the knights were trying to do. Thedy sat back down in her chair, seemingly lost in thought, staring out the window.


    If I be the lord, the head of this house, I cannot leave this ce, can I?


    One might be able to leave their seat temporarily, but essentially, it meant being tied to one ce. It was no improvement from the situation Lady Lien desperately wanted to escape.


    No. With the Count gone shes better off.


    Freedom and love.


    Ian could guess the two tangled concerns in thedys mind. Frankly, it was more beneficial for Ian if thedy became the lord than the Counts unfamiliar brother. They had some rtionship, he knew her secrets, and she seemed uninterested in expanding her territory.


    If the knights or the Counts brother became the lord, who knew what theyd do while Ian was away in the capital?


    But the presence of the Counts brother makes it tricky to step forward hastily.


    It was a kind of a strategic standoff.


    If Ian absorbed Merellofs coutndom, it might give Gale an excuse to intervene again, citing excessive expansion of power on the border. But on the other hand, it could firmly impress his worth on Mariv.


    First, it would be good to meet the Counts brother.


    Ian straightened his coat and looked back at thedy. She still seemed lost in her own thoughts.


    Ill inform the Counts brother about the situation and return. He lives in a mansion on the outskirts of the vige, whats his name?


    Dive Merellof.


    Ill be back soon.


    Ian muttered, checking his pocket watch. If he hurried, he could return before Beric brought Romandro.